The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is an international comparative study of 15-year-olds, conducted every three years. Since the first test cycle in 2000, more than 80 countries and partner economies have participated. A report on the 2015 results, released by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), examines trends in Australia's
average performance and the change in the percentages of students considered 'high' and 'low' performers*.
Australia's PISA test
performance over time
Between the first PISA test cycle in 2000 and the latest cycle in 2015, Australia's average peformance has fallen by 25 points.
READING LITERACY
Analysis of Australian student performance showed that, between 2000 and 2015, the proportion of low
performers increased from 12% to 18%, while the proportion of high performers decreased from 17% to 11%.
High performers: Students proficient at Level 5 or Level 6 on the PISA performance scales (high levels of skill and knowledge).
Middle performers: Students proficient at Level 2 (the international baseline), Level 3 or Level 4.
Low performers: Students below Level 2 (proficiency considered 'too low to enable them to participate effectively and productively in life').
* PISA proficiency scales
SOURCE: Thomson, S., De Bortoli, L & Underwood, C. "PISA 2015: A first look at Australia's results." (2016).
http://research.acer.edu.au/ozpisa
Between the 2003 PISA test cycle and the latest cycle in 2015, Australia's average peformance has fallen by 30 points.
MATHEMATICAL LITERACY
SCIENTIFIC
LITERACY
Between the 2006 PISA test cycle and the latest cycle in 2015, Australia's average peformance has fallen by 17 points.Analysis of Australian student performance showed that, between 2003 and 2015, the proportion of low
performers increased from 14% to 22%, while the proportion of high performers decreased from 20% to 11%.
Analysis of Australian student performance showed that, between 2006 and 2015, the proportion of low
performers increased from 13% to 18%, while the proportion of high performers decreased from 15% to 11%.
